by Rory Gardiner
You’ve probably heard that luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. But what if those opportunities never come? Do you want to pursue a passion project, but unsure if it will take off? Here is the secret: Just do it!
I recently listened to a Podcast with Actor Jason Segal (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Muppet movie, etc). He told a great story that stuck with me. The short version is that he had a lot of success in the industry as a child, but when he became an adult he wasn’t getting cast as the male lead in movies. Instead of giving up, or accepting only supporting roles, he just decided to write his own movie and cast himself as the lead.
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” was the first movie he had written, and first starring role. It became a big box office success, and now Jason has starred in a number of other films as a result. I’m sure there were a lot of failed pitches, re-writes, and favors to have all the stars align and get this film off the ground, however the underlying element still holds true. Instead of sitting at home waiting for his lucky break, he buckled down and just created his own luck.
Do you see other people getting the jobs that you think you deserve? The reason is usually because there is somebody more qualified for the roll. Why would an accounting firm hire an entry level accountant, when an intermediate or professional can crunch the numbers faster for the same amount of money?
Make them come to you! – If employers aren’t responding when you go to them, make them come to you. Start doing peoples taxes on the side. You may end up getting so much business, that when it comes time to get hired by a firm, that you want to start your own. If you’re not getting a record deal, start recording yourself. If I didn’t fund my own first album, I would have never released the songs that eventually got picked up in TV commercials. The success of those songs funded the 2 albums that followed.
Same thing in the dating world – I often hear people complain about not being able to hold on to a relationship. If you’re bouncing from partner to partner, perhaps the problem is you. You’re either choosing the wrong type or person, or you need to make some changes in house. Work on yourself first, and the right person will come along. Relationships aren’t about hunting someone down and trapping this individual. It’s connecting with someone, then sharing a life together. Make yourself as awesome as you can be, and you’ll be surprised at how many sexy singles will start wandering in your direction.
Sitting on the fence and waiting for opportunities is like gambling. The odds are against you. When you are actively in pursuit of what you are trying to do, opportunities manifest themselves. When you’re active, you’re meeting people in that field, your resume is getting longer, and you are constantly learning and attracting new prospects. The opportunity you’ve been dreaming of is just around the corner.
I’d love to hear how you have made your own luck at some point in your life or career. Leave a comment or tweet at me. Until next time!
Rory Gardiner They say if you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life.
Singer/Songwriter/Author/Entrepreneur/Comedian/Lactose Intolerant Rory Gardiner has seen the success of his compositions published and performed by other artists, as well as songs licensed and synched in TV advertisements airing daily throughout North America.
Rory has appeared on multiple CMT(Country Music Television) nationally broadcasted reality shows in Canada, and keeps a busy 100+ shows a year touring schedule.
Author of “Break Free: The Road Map for Building a Healthy Lifestyle & Breaking Bad Habits.” Using humor, parable and motivation, Rory outlines how the right small changes in a busy lifestyle can have a dramatic effect on how you look and feel.
Rory has recently released his first country music children’s record “Yee-Haw” on iTunes, influenced by becoming a parent himself. The album has already been awarded a “Parents Choice Award”, and Rory states “I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us next!”
